Happy Halloweenie! TastyLinks Saturday!

Today was a dismal, rainy, dark and dull day. Perfect Gothically delicious Hallowe'en weather...unless you're trick or treating. We hit a favorite local antique shop that specializes in architectural salvage. We're searching for the right mantle/shelf/frame for our large gold Buddha in the Zen TV room. I mostly don't watch TV, but I love the room. It's warm cinnamon infused red with gold and off white accents...very cozy. I'm slowly adding an array of empty vintage gilt frames to the walls. It's very simple and chic.

We also scored a huge sign for the living room, a small sign for Av's room and a really neat rustic wooden shelf cubby dealio that's going to be PERFECT for my burgeoning collection of rubber stamps and inks. Every new craft skill brings a crap load of new supplies. We saw a spectacular vintage gas station sign that we coveted until we saw the 675.00 price tag...we talked them down to 475.00 and it's a piece of history that is sure to increase in value...but...that's a big chunk 'o change...so we're sitting on the idea. We need to save our money and finish up some big projects around the house.

Oh heck, I need an entire house just for my studio.

Is that asking so much?!

We also scored some great Halloween decor on super sale at Michael's. Our kitchen is bright orange and acid green, so Halloween stuff actually works in here year round. This house is a 130 year old former Union Hall and Amish School house...so it's got a primitive country vibe. I'm more of a mid-century modern kinda gal but I'm learning to love a quirky country decor. I'm ever mindful of not turning our house into a TGI Fridays...Drew said we're starting to get too much 'wall flair.' One of these days when we get it all together...I'll share some pics.

But enough about our shopping excursion...

Here's the All Hallow's Eve version of TastyLinks...all the good blogs wrapped up in one!

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love Vickie shows how to customize photo mats to go with your favorite photos!

The Artful Crafter Make some romantic mood light candles with decorative tissue paper and decoupage medium.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Halloween Decoration using my craft supply stash to make Jack O' Lanterns

Mixed Media Artist Cyndi has started another small quilt, this time featuring pears!

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy found out crocheting chemo hats is trickier than she thought, but she found success.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world On the Craftside of things there is a free Japanese bunnies and moon piece of clip art, a cool video full of tips on altering a pattern, a how-to on folding paper ricrac, a cool source for vintage style findings and using research magazine pictures as ATC canvases in an altered book.

Aileen's Musings Aileen offers, just barely in time for Day of the Dead or Halloween, an easy peasy earring tutorial!

About Family Crafts Sherri gives you an excuse to craft every day during the month of November using this calendar of events.

The Impatient Crafter This is a story of a refugee who found her strength in creativity. Though she recently died, her story lives on. Please read and share the story of Haiffaa Ali.

The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate Teen Crafts Spooky Sparkly Flower Clip

Spooky Sparkly Flower Clip
Margot Potter for iLoveToCreate Teens!
"Mom crafted, kid approved"

If your teen is still not sure what to wear for Halloween, here’s a little idea that’s big on possibilities. This sparkly flower clip is a breeze to make and you can easily remove the faux web and spiders so it becomes everyday friendly. I purchased my flower clip at H&M, but I’ve seen these all over the place this season. You can opt to make these in any color, but I chose black for Halloween. Pin this to a thick black ribbon for a Morticia/Vampire style choker or to fashion a wrist corsage for a Dead Prom Queen, glitter up a bouquet of black roses for a Corpse Bride or attach a few glittered flowers to a headband for Frida Kahlo, or a bunch of them in various colors to a huge hat for a La Catrina Day of the Dead costume. You can find old prom dresses and wedding dresses for a song at your local thrift shops, then just shred and spray with black fabric spray. Easy peasy!

Materials
Large fabric flower pin/hair clip
Faux spider webbing
Three plastic spider rings
Tulip Fashion Glitter Bond
Tulip Fashion Glitter in black
Liquid Fusion glue

1. Pour a puddle of glitter bond on a non-stick sheet or a plate and dip the flower into it. (You’re looking to get a thin bead of glue on the edge of all of your petals; you can also opt to carefully squeeze the glue on the petal edges.)

2. Pour a small pile of glitter directly on your flower. Allow to dry for ten minutes and dump excess glitter on newspaper and back into jar. You can also opt to dump glitter on a non-stick sheet or a plate. Dip flower into glitter and let dry for a half of an hour and then dump excess glitter back into jar. Let glitter dry overnight.

3. Cut of a small section of faux webbing. Tie it around the width of the flower loosely with a knot in the back (you don’t want to lose your flower shape.)

4. Dab glue on the back of the body of your spiders and press the webbing into the glued areas on spiders. (Don’t glue the spiders to the flower or you won’t be able to remove them later.) Allow to dry.

Avalon looking Spooky Sparkly!

Madge Muses About Costumes...

Today's blog is a rambling free associative musing on costumes past...

My lovely daughter will be attending her first Halloween party this year. She's officially announced her retirement from Trick or Treating. You'd probably think having a super crafty mom she'd have a super crafty costume...

...you'd be wrong.

She begged me for a 'bee girl' costume she found online with a long hot pink wig. So that's what she's wearing. So much for super crafty! I have no idea where she gets this pink wig penchant. ..odd.

Either my mother or I made all of my Halloween costumes as a kid. My mom is an incredibly gifted artist...our pumpkins were amazing! For several years my costume revolved around a large box. One year I covered a box in tin foil, added arm holes and red velvet ribbon and wore a huge red velvet bow in my hair that read "Do Not Open Until December 25th." The next year I cut slits in the sides of a box, bending it to create a tin foil covered spaceship...I wore a green turtleneck and tights and was the alien inside of the ship. One year my mother made me a sandwich out of large pieces of poster board, paint and crepe paper, I wore brown tights and turtleneck. The problem with the big box costume is...it's impossible to get in and out of houses...and you can't sit down...one would think after the first time I wore the big box costume I'd have learned my lesson...

One would be wrong.

During my punk rock years I got an attitude about Halloween and suggested that my daily attire was a costume already and I didn't need an excuse to dress up. Sheesh. What a Debbie Downer...lighten up a little, Madge! Here's me in a 'not costume' at a Halloween party.

I guess I had a point there...

I've made a lot of fun costumes through the years and I try to keep them low sew and easy. I've been Bat Girl twice, which is super simple with one of those stretchy executioner hoods with black cardboard ears attached and a black unitard with the logo out of felt glued on the chest (and of course a killer pair of stiletto boots!) I was Emma Peel from The Avengers once in a wickedly saucy catsuit. A couple of years ago I went as Jackie Kennedy...though I was tempted to cover my vintage wool suit in fake blood and carry a brain chunk...I decided against it after further thought. Perhaps a little too...distasteful. We have a huge grey fleece hoodie that has been both Eeyore (with pinned in black yarn mane and big floppy painted felt ears) and a Mouse with smaller felt ears and a wheel of cheese fashioned from a Styrofoam disc painted yellow in which we created holes by scooping out segments with a cheese baller...and added a bite mark and a large round pillow for a big belly. We put velcro on the back of the cheese so it could attach to the sweatshirt while trick or treating. All of these pics are buried in our storage spaces...so I can't share any.

I'm an actor, so I've had some amazing costumes created for me to wear onstage. Would that I kept one or two...but alas I did not.Photo Copyright Tim Duckworth from The Triumph of Love KSU ClassicTheatreWorks

I don't have any parties to attend this year..so I'm afraid there will be no costumes for Madge. We don't get any trick or treaters in our neighborhood, we're mostly surrounded by Amish folk and they don't do Halloween, all the action is in town and without a kid in tow, I'd look like a weirdo. I have to admit, I'm going to miss the little Halloweenies! Tell me about your costumes in my comments section!

I'll be back tomorrow with a final Halloween project for iLoveToCreate...and then I'm gearing up for a series of great ideas for the Holidays!

xoxo
Madge

Haiffaa's Story (Please Share This Post)

I don’t usually discuss politically minded things here. I have another blog where I rant freely and without filters, this is my craft blog and focuses on my craft career. Occasionally though, real life and my craft career intersect and today was one of those days. Several years back I found out about a group of refugee women in Denver who were assimilating into our culture and crafting as a way of making some pin money. Something about my first book struck a chord with them, perhaps it was the happy colors or the big pictures...I can’t say. I sent them some books and supplies and continued to follow their progress.

They began as The Bead Women of Denver and eventually they expanded from jewelry making into a variety of crafty endeavors. One woman in the group, Haiffaa Ali, was an exceptional talent and spokesperson. She had escaped Iraq, leaving absolutely everything behind to be faced with the squalor of a refugee camp. Eventually she and her family made their way to America. Recently Haiffaa returned to Iraq while staying in Jordan on vacation. She needed closure on her father’s death, a murder unrelated to the war, and she took a risk that proved deadly. While booking her return trip she was killed in a bombing.


I’m here to share her story because I believe in the power of creativity to transform, elevate and heal. Every woman and man who has ever channeled their creativity has touched this power. I think if we spent more time creating and less time destroying, the world could become an amazing place. It is my mission to remind you, gentle reader, that creativity is the opposite of destruction and every time we create we are shifting the world for the better.

I do not believe in this war, but I do not believe in war at all. I have never been able to understand war. Why must we fight over such arbitrary things as lines drawn on maps or ways of praying or the color of our skin or differences in politics? I pray with all of my heart and soul for a day when we look back and wonder how we ever could have as a human race participated in the mass murder of innocents. Ever. Every person who dies in a war is a person, like you or me. Every life matters. Every life has value. Everyone who dies in a war is a person who was someone’s mother, sister, brother, father, friend, neighbor, child...a person who had the right to live in a world without fear, hatred and war.

Haiffa’s story is powerful and I’d like to share it here. Please follow this link and read her story. Then if you feel compelled, please help the women from A Little Something make this world a better place through the power of their creativity. Each one of us is a link in the chain and we have within us the power to change the world. I believe in The Power of We, how about you?

Be in Peace,
Margot

Terrorific Tuesday Week #4! The Final Week!

Trick or Treat!
Frame and post it note holder dressed for Halloween

Costumed Kokeshi Dolls
Try out a Halloween idea for a traditional Japanese doll with Crafterella

Halloween Mask
Phyllis Dobbs created a fun and easy Halloween mask - great for adults and kids!

Fun Halloween Lanterns
Stephenie Hamen accessorizes plain paper lanterns with her paper punches.

Black Widow & Bloody Necklaces
Pattie Wack uses 3-D paint to create chokers that will creep out your party guests!

Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath
Vanessa creates an inspired wreath made of tulle!

Mad Scientist Party
Amy of Living Locurto shares a slew of fun ideas to host your own Mad Scientist Party.

Halloween Zombie Dolls
Crafty Chica shows how to add some zombie love to your decor!

Halloweenies!
Boopsie Daisy shares some of the wonderful Halloween dollies that she dreams up!

Crafty Chica's Ghost Story!
Kathy Cano-Murillo shares a haunted crafty tale!

Halloween Cone Witches
Make these cute little paper cone witches for Halloween!

Halloween Leftovers
Mel takes the leftovers from last week's project and makes a cool Goth choker!

Brenda Pinnick Halloween Owls
Seasonal Owls for Scaring or Delighting Trick or Treaters

The Impatient Crafter
Margot creates another spooktacular mixed media necklace with a bite.

Halloween Batty Windchime
Heidi Borchers creates a super cute windchime with personality!

Kitschy Kitschy BOO
Add some Halloween flair to your day with this cute kitschy bracelet and earring combo!

Simple Halloween Gift Tags
Studio Mama makes a strong impact with these quick and easy tags!

Strands of Beads
Melissa once again gives some pretty flower beads a Gothic makeover with this simple earring design

Costume Fun
Sharron Westerfield shares her passion for costume-making and the joy it brings her grandchildren.

Return of the Birthday Zombie
Candace is cracking herself up with this ghoulish gift box idea

Doodle Pumpkin
Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield shows you how to make a fun pumpkin on the fly!

NYC and TastyLinks Monday!

Well folks...I survived NYC! We had a great time shooting videos with Ben Sander (aka Brini Maxwell) at his charming apartment. Mary Ellen joined the fun and I think the videos are going to be super cute. I'll post them here when they go live. Ben took us to the fabulous Rosa Mexicana restaurant for dinner, but we got deluged on the way back to the car. My hair met an untimely death and it never quite recovered! We had to blow dry our shoes so we could wear them the next day!

As fortune would have it, we stayed across the street from a huge flea market in Chelsea, so I scored some fun new ephemera, a small smattering of vintage watches and a pair of vintage Foster Grant sunglasses. Ah...nothing gets me happier than a flea market...even if this one was seriously overpriced! I think I did better in Paris!

We met my old friend Scott Long for lunch on Sunday. We used to be in a 'cowpunk' band together in the early 80s called Big Hair and he's been doing concert promotions in NYC for the past few years. It was great to catch up. It's so fascinating where life can take you if you're willing to be open to the possibilities. Scott's a very cool dude.

The Michaels' event was amazing. There were lines stretching back into the aisles and a zillion people working at the store. I had five or six helpers and a special handler named Angel who made me feel like a Crafty Rock Star. Seriously! Folks were patiently waiting to do the make it/take its so we stayed an extra half an hour. There were still people working on the earrings when we left to battle Manhattan traffic and head home. I can't thank the fine folks from Michaels Manhattan enough! What a wonderful experience...and the store is gorgeous!

Here's what the fine folks from When Creativity Knocks have for your craftertainment this week! Make a fun Rocket Card in this video with Sharon Jankowicz.

Here is this week's sampling of TastyLinks and I'll be back tomorrow with the final installment of Terrorific Tuesday:

The Artful Crafter Make a pretty fall triple wreath wall hanging for your own wall or as a housewarming gift. With a little imagination, you can adapt the design for Christmas or just about any other occasion/season.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Polymer Clay Candy Corn Beads Hot out of the Oven made using a "recipe" from the book The Polymer Clay Cookbook

Mixed Media Artist Do you have a signature style? Cyndi wants to know what it is and wants to help you show it off!

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Linda revisits a quilt she made a while back.

Crafty Princess Diaries Diggity Doggity, the crocheted dog blanket is done!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world At Craftside there is a free cross stitch pattern, a downoadable label and idea for a spooky Halloween decoration and some wild pumpkins, a sneak peek into the new book What is Illustration?, how to sew gathers and ruffles and finally a fun question to be answered to be entered to win a free craft book.

Cathie Filian Make a warm mug of Chai Tea at home with this traditional recipe from Cathie.

Aileen's Musings This week Aileen offers a free pumpkin label for you to download and print. Also, a very cool photo manipulation site, so gather your favorite pictures and have some fun!

About Family Crafts Sherri offers several free pumpkin carving patterns for you to download and use!

The Impatient Crafter Madge scares up another fiendishly fabulous mixed media design for Halloween!

Busy Busy!

Image Copyright Enoch Bolles

I had a busy day yesterday with a photo shoot and a ton of errands to run. I'm off this morning to NYC to visit Brini Maxwell and tape two segments for her NPR video podcast. Then on Sunday I'll be at the brand new super fabulous Michael's store in Manhattan (808 Columbus Avenue at 97th Street) to sign books and host a fun make it/take it. I have been so busy, I haven't had time to stop and blog or post any projects...but I've got something fun for you on Monday.

Until then...craft on with your bad selves!

xoxo
Madge

In Case Of Emergency Free Halloween Craft Project Mixed Media Necklace

(Click on image to view close-up)

It had been exactly ten days, ten hours and ten minutes since he’d last fed. The hunger was maddening. She’d locked him in this godforsaken basement and even the rats had the good sense not to hang out down here. It felt more than a bit like a scene from Psycho, the only thing missing was a mummified ‘mother.’ Truth be told, even a mute mummy might be good company at this point.

He had worn this amulet for years, just in case. The blood was so old, cold and stale it would taste vile, but desperate times and all that jazz. The skeleton key was sturdy and could easily break the wax seal on the tiny flask.

Success!

It was only a momentary solution to a monumental problem...but he would find a way out. There was no way in hell he was going to spend eternity like this, and when he got out, she'd be his first victim.

A vampire must always be prepared...

In Case of Emergency
Mixed Media Necklace
Free Halloween Craft Project
Copyright 2009 Margot Potter
All Rights Reserved (For personal use only and not for resale)

This little bottle that my daughter found in our backyard has been begging me to put it into a design for a while now. I think I've mentioned it here at least twice! Finally, yesterday, at the end of my work day, I got this project completed. Just in time for Halloween! I have to say, these macabre designs are becoming a guilty pleasure of mine.

Insert evil laugh here...

Materials
1 tiny glass jar (I used a vintage jar from our backyard, but a new one would work fine too)
1 skeleton key (I used a vintage key I scored at a local salvage store, but there a plenty of reproductions out there)
5 4mm light siam CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements™ 5000 rounds
11x5mm siam CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements 6000 teardrop
1 three link section of hammered oval gun metal chain (Rings ‘n Things)
1 32” section elongated oval gun metal chain (Similar styles available at Rings n Things)
Dark Annealed Iron Wire
Ranger Melt Art Beeswax
Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink cranberry
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink vintage photo
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink black soot
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint rock candy
Printed paper centered In Case Of Emergency in Viner Hand ITC 10pt.
Beadalon BeadFix Squares

Tools
Computer with word processing software
Printer
Ranger Ink Applicator Tool
Ranger Blending Tool Foam
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Memory wire shears
Melt art pot
Suze Weinberg Wax Stylus
Non stick craft sheet for wax if using stylus
Disposable paint brush if using melt art pot



1. Create a centered document with the words “In Case Of Emergency” in Viner Hand ITC 10pt. or a font of your choice. It needs to fit your jar.

2. Print document and cut label to fit jar. Crinkle paper and gently dab vintage photo on paper using a foam applicator. This gives an aged effect. Edge the paper with black soot and foam applicator. Work from outside in gently moving applicator in a circular motion, be judicious!

3. Apply label to jar using BeadFix Squares. Glue sets fully in 24 hours, but works on contact.

4. Apply a thin layer of Rock Candy Distress Crackle paint and allow to dry.

5. Squeeze alcohol ink into jar.

6. Cut a 3” segment of wire using memory wire cutters. Wrap jar with wire several times, making a small loop on the front and a larger loop at the back that will serve as your bail. Tighten wire with pliers.

7. Seal cap and wire with wax. You can melt the wax in a melting pot and apply it with a small brush or you can use your stylus to melt it and apply. Wax gets VERY hot...so be careful! Allow wax to dry.

8. Use foam applicator and alcohol ink to stain wax red. Allow to dry.


9. Attach the three link chain to the bail on the back of your jar.

10. Wrap a small section of wire around the bottom of your key, making a small loop. Attach the small loop to the open end of your three link section of chain.

11. Create a rosary style chain with four of your crystal rounds, ending with a tear drop. The head pin threads through one side of the teardrop and you bend it flush to the top of the pendant and create a small loop at the top.

12. Attach your fifth crystal round on a head pin with a looped top to the loop at the front of your jar.

13. Slide the chain into the top of your skeleton key, folding it in half.

14. Create a simple hook clasp attaching it to the two open ends of chain.

(Note: The following materials were donated for use in my work: CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements™, Beadalon BeadFix squares, Ranger products, hammered chain from Rings n Things. I purchased the remaining materials.)

Terrorific Tuesday Week #3!

Spooky Spider House
Silvia creates a miniature haunted house that is spooky and oh-so fun!

Witchy Embroidered Postcard
Sharron Westerfield brews up a whimsical witch postcard

The Impatient Crafter
Vintage plastic owls become the focal point of a charming necklace you can wear for Halloween and all year round!

Pumpkin and cat felt treat bag
Felt bag that can also be made as a wall hanging or door hanger

Cheryl Ball's Halloween Door Hangers
Create these door hangers from inexpensive gloves for Trick of Treaters

My Big Mouth
Make a creepy wire tree just in time for Halloween!

Mel's Day of the Dead Necklace
Linked chain, skulls and spiderwebs for Dia de los Muertos

Crafty Chica's Matchbook Shrines
Adorable little folding shrines that fit in your pocket!

Paper Pumpkin
Make a plump paper pumpkin from some strips of paper plus a little Halloween craftiness!

Polymer Clay Zombie
Candace's diabolical plan to populate the world with zombies continues!

The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate
Make a retro style styrofoam ornament into a fab Halloween Party centerpiece! Madge shows you how using iLoveToCreate products!

How to Make a Spooky Spice Rack
Come make a spooky spice rack with Crafterella, she's sharing her unique labels with everyone!

Halloween Treat Tote
Conjure up a quick Halloween cupcake basket using new ScoreBoard dies!

Brenda Pinnick's Halloween Banner
A little scary, a little fun, this delightful banner celebrates all things Halloween. Made using Brenda Pinnick Sizzix dies, glitter and ribbon.

Creepy Candlesticks
Pattie Wack turns mini pumpkins into a boo-tiful Halloween lighting idea!

Strands of Beads
Melissa explores the holiday possibilities in a black and white checkered bead

Glow in the Dork Wall Hanging
Turn off the lights and have a laugh with this goofy wall hanging from Alexa Westerfield!

Picture Perfect Pumpkin
Vanessa Coppola turns a traditional pumpkin into a decopauged masterpiece!

Madge's Monday Updates!

(Thanks to John Fritzinger at Beadalon for taking this shot!)

Here's a sneak peek at the earrings you can make with me at Michaels Manhattan next Saturday October 25th! (I'll also offer a floral design.) I'll be signing copies of my best selling first book The Impatient Beader and assisting folks with this fun Make it/Take it! Big thanks to Beadalon, Fiskars, Ranger, Tim Holtz, Krylon and iLoveToCreate for donating materials. I'm super excited! Plus I'm really glad I found a use for the huge bag of plastic flies I got at Five Below. Tee hee.

I would add a chain with a big plastic spider on each earring, but I was thinking subtle.

Har har.

While we're in NYC we're also going to be filming a two part segment with my friend Brini Maxwell for her NPR Podcast videos. As soon as that goes live, I'll let you know! I'm really excited!

Speaking of Brini...we're retooling the Crafty Cabaret Caribbean cruise to make it shorter and less expensive. As soon as that's arranged, I'll provide the link here. We're still planning on Fall of 2010. I'm also finalizing the details on Beads and the City May 13-16th 2010! So stay tuned for the 411!

I'll be back tomorrow with Terrorific Tuesdays. Until then, craft on with your bad selves.

xoxo
Madge

TastyLinks Sunday!

It's time once again for the weekly craft blog round up from the Crafty Blogger Gang! This week is filled with spooktastic ideas for Halloween. Get ready to be inspired!

This week's bonus link...check out these funky meat themed kitty toy pillows Ana and Megan from When Creativity Knocks have for your video viewing pleasure with designer Lauren Vennell.

About Family Crafts Follow these directions and disscover how easy it is to sew a felt tote bag that is perfect for trick-or-treating!

Aileen's Musings Come meet Aileen's friends Herm & Ethel (they're baccck!). Download a couple of freebie e-postcards and send Halloween greetings to your friends!

Cathie Filian Check out Cathie's quick video on how to spook up china ball lanterns.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside went a little artsy this week with inside peeks into the books; Hope: A Collection of Obama Posters and Prints, The Daily Book of Art, Really Good Packaging Design Explained and 1001 Ideas for Stonework, but there are also tons of great Sizzix die cut applique designs made by the designers at Halloween Swap-o-Rama-Rama.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy has a package ready to go out the door for her new jewelry making book.

Cross Stitch at About.com Connie has another inspirational pattern, this time with an abstract flair. The chart is easy - whole cross stitch and a wee bit of back stitch.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Linda visited a few quilt shops in Toronto and shares her finds.

Mixed Media Artist Cyndi is starting a new quilt...this time featuring pears!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Vintage Hankie Scarf made using the tutorial from the Indygo Junction book Hankie Style

The Artful Crafter Eileen shows you how to create a simple but festive Halloween cupcake stand from terracotta pots.

The Impatient Crafter Madge is one degree from Martha! Check out her upcoming appearance at the Grand Opening of Michaels in Manhattan!

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love This week Vickie launched her new PBS Parents column, Craft Apparent. Check out her first article, a how-to on making utterly adorable baby costumes, starting with just a plain onesie!

Free Halloween Craft Project for iLoveToCreate: Sparkly Skull Halloween Ornament Centerpiece

Sparkly Skull Halloween Ornament Centerpiece Copyright Margot Potter 2009
(This sphere is 8" in diameter!)

It has been positively Poe-esque around these parts this week and it looks as if it's going to stay that way for a few more days. Insert melodramatic sigh...here. Alas and alack it also means my step out photos for this post are rather dark and dull as well. Do forgive. Would that I had a state of the art photo studio and a team of stylists to make my projects look fabulous, but I am the entire team and this is a 130 year old school house with limited lighting capabilities...therefore I'm dependent on the sun for good pictures.

That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

Sparkly Skull Halloween Ornament Centerpiece
Margot Potter for iLoveToCreate Teen Crafts
Copyright Margot Potter 2009
Mom Crafted-Kid Approved

My daughter has officially stopped trick or treating this year, so instead one of her friends is throwing a Halloween bash. That got me thinking about teen friendly party décor. I’ve been working on some retro style Christmas ornaments using Styrofoam, sequin and ribbon for an upcoming taping, so doing a Halloween version wasn’t a stretch. This is a fun and easy project and the potential variations are endless. Put this 8” ball in the center and add some smaller sizes wrapped in netting and other thematic ribbons and sequins and some Halloween themed confetti and you’ve got an adorable centerpiece for a teen party. You could also hang several of these on a wire from the ceiling.

Materials
8” Styrofoam sphere
Crafty Chica Little Chica Paints in black
Crafty Chica Glitter in Be Bop Black (you’re going to need TWO tubes to cover this ginormous sphere!)
Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Spray
Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue
Orange crystals (I used CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements™ 6mm Hyacinth bicones)
Off white flower sequins
Thematic ribbon (I purchased this ribbon at Michael’s last year, but all of the craft chains have fun Halloween ribbon around this time of year)
1” thick satin ribbon with loop edges
18 gauge Colourcraft wire
2" silver plated head pins

Tools
Wooden dowel or paintbrush handle
Paintbrush

1. Begin by painting your sphere. I inserted a paint brush handle into my sphere so I could hold it while painting. Styrofoam sucks up a LOT of paint, so you may need two containers to cover an 8” sphere. Allow to dry.
2. Spray sections of the sphere with Spray glue and pour glitter over them on to a newspaper or non-stick craft sheet. Keep refilling glitter container as you work. You will need two tubes of glitter to cover an 8” sphere. When finished, tap off excess glitter and allow to dry overnight.
3. Use your paint brush handle to shove one end of a pre-glued ribbon into your original indentation. I used a thick smearing of Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue along the entire length of ribbon.

4. Measure and mark an indent in the opposite side of sphere and repeat. Mark equal placement for four ribbon sections, using your paint brush handle to insert them into the indentations. There should be glue on the ends so they dry inserted in the indentations.

5. Insert a crystal and a sequin on a headpin and dab the exposed end of your headpin with Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue. Insert this into an open section of your sphere. Repeat filling each section with sequin and crystal accents. Try to evenly space your embellishments. (I started with just crystals, but we decided the sequins added so much to the design, so we did a redo!) Allow to dry.

6. Create a bow using the thick looped ribbon.

7. Insert a 5” section of Colourcraft wire bent into a ‘u’ shape threaded through the knot of your bow into the top of the sphere as in photo. Allow to dry.(Disclosure of Payment and Samples Links: http://cmp.ly/2 http://cmp.ly/3)

One Degree from Martha

Hey looky lou! Click on the image above to see! That's l'il me on a big ol' flyer for the Grand Opening of the new Michael's Manhattan! Check it out! And if you inspect further you will see that my meticulously cut out image is located one degree away from the doyenne of all things domestically divine, Ms. Martha Stewart!

Oh yeah, I'm near Martha! Smell me!

Uh, on second thought, maybe that's not such a great idea. How about you just say, "YAY!"

Who cares if Martha and I are polar opposites. We both love cooking, crafting, decorating, entertaining (okay so I don't do that so much but I still love it in theory) and having exotic chickens. So we've got all that in common! That and we're both going to be at the Grand Opening of the new Michael's Manhattan, albeit on different days. Oh and if that wasn't enough to get your knickers in a flurry, Ed Roth of Stencil 101 will be there and so will Megan Nicolay of Generation T...and the delightful Michael's spokeswoman Ms. Jo Pearson all on the same day before Martha arrives. I feel like a Crafty Rock Star!

Maybe Martha will sit in the same chair I do! Maybe I should leave her a hand calligraphied note taped to the bottom of the chair in a pretty repurposed vintage glass jar with a handcrafted label made from old book pages and my Cricut Expression. Maybe she'll see my smiling face on this fabulous flyer (that has my name spelled wrong but that's okay...) and she'll say to herself, "Gee Martha, who is this fascinating and enigmatic Margo(t) Potter person and why haven't we had her on the show yet? Hey there assistant minion person, get on this stat!"

Maybe her producers will call me and invite me on to show Martha how to open and close a jump ring, make a fun Teen themed craft and whip up a delicious low fat multi-grain macaroni and cheese followed by the two of us singing a duet of Let Us Craftertain You! Then we'll go shopping for designer shoes at Barney's followed by a nosh at a posh restaurant.

After that I'm sure I'll get Martha's private cell phone number and we'll text each other cool craft ideas every day! She'll be my new BFF! Or maybe my new frenemy...how do you spell that anyway?

Oh the possibilities! Oh the excitement! Oh frabjous day, calloo callay! I'm one degree from Martha!

If you're in Manhattan on October 25th, please stop by Michaels between 4 and 5pm and say howdy. I'll be demoing fun mixed media jewelry making ideas and you can see a host of other great demos while you're there. Oh and if you know Martha, do tell her Madge said, "Hi!"

xoxo
Madge

Free Halloween Craft Project: Vintage Plastic Hooty Owl Necklace

Hooty Owl Necklace Set Copyright 2009 Margot Potter

Hoot, hoot! I gave you a sneak peek of this necklace a while back. It's so seasonally apropos, I thought this would be the perfect time to share the instructions. This is another easy to whip up in a flash idea and you can sport this puppy all year long. These adorable owl beads come in a variety of colors. I'm a HUGE fan of vintage plastic beads and Beadin' Path has a phenomenal selection. I think plastic is a highly underrated material. It's lightweight, it comes in fantastic colors and effects and often you find far more whimsical ideas done in plastic than would ever be done in gemstone or crystal. I'm not a materials snob...I'll make jewelry from anything! Heck even trash if it's clean! (Designer note: I ended up going back and taking off the last two black beads after I photographed this, so the instructions reflect the updated version. You can add more beads if you want it to be longer.)

Free Halloween Craft Project
Vintage Plastic Hooty Owl Necklace
Copyright 2009 Margot Potter

Materials
6 15x30mm "limey" vintage plastic owl beads
5 18mm white with black polka dot vintage German plastic rounds
12 10mm _Plastic&search=yes&page=search.html">filigree white vintage plastic rounds (these are available in bulk only on Wolf Myrow)
2 15mm frosted black Plaid Fresh rounds
2 3.5" segments Beadalon polyester chain
Frosted black Blue Moon Beads Noir toggle clasp
2 sterling silver EZ-Crimp ends
11 5mm silver plated jump rings
6 2" silver plated head pins
4 1.5" silver plated or sterling head pins
2 silver plated or sterling French ear wires

Tools
Round nose pliers
2 pairs chain nose pliers
Mighty or EZ Crimp Tool
Scissors

1. Cut off 2 3.5" segments of Beadalon polyester chain.

2. Create 6 coiled owl dangles, 2 coiled polka dot dangles and 2 filigree double loop dangles.

3. Attach an EZ-Crimp end to a 12" segment of .018 19 strand Beadalon wire
.
4. Slide beads on in the following order: filigree, owl, filigree, polka dot, filigree, owl, filigree, frosted black, filigree, owl, filigree, polka dot...continuing this pattern until you reach the final (12th) filigree bead.

5. Thread wire into EZ-Crimp, use chain nose pliers to pull it through. Keep piece rounded to prevent it from being too stiff. Attach EZ-Crimp. Cut off excess wire.

6. Use jump rings to attach EZ-Crimp ends to your two poly chain segments.

7. Use jump rings to attach the clasp to each open end of poly chain.

8. To create earrings, attach ear wire to one end of double looped filigree, attach open bottom of filigree to coiled polka dot and repeat for second earring.

Designer Note: All materials used in this design were donated by the manufacturers and website owners for use in my work.

Terrorific Tuesday Week #2!

Another week, another heapin' helpin' of Halloween fabulosity. Check out what creative crafters from across the blogisphere have for your craftertainment for this week's installment of Terrorific Tuesday!

This little light
Light up the night with this cute pumpkin votive holder from Kat the Fearless Crafter.

Sugar Skull Bracelet & Bats in the Belfry Choker
Candace is having way too much fun with shrink plastc! Check out these fun and charming crafts on the Spirit Clay blog.

Dollar Tree Decorated Lights Tutorial
Come and decorate some Dollar Tree Skulls with Crafterella, don't forget your sharpie markers!

The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate
Whip up a Halloween Invitation that's a real 'hoot' with Madge in this project for iLoveToCreate!

Spooky Halloween Coasters
Cheryl Ball of Still Crafty After 50 shares some fun, funky, and spirited coasters!

Halloween Treat Bowl
Create a fun and festive treat dish with Inspired at Home!

Strands of Beads
Melissa creates a whimsical seasonal necklace based on the theme "pushing up daisies".

Basic Black Box Meets Pumpkin Patch
Whip up Halloween favor boxes in minutes with brand new Sizzix ScoreBoard dies.

Mummy Mannequin
Create a mummy that will be a memorable accent at your Halloween party with Pattiewack!

Munchkin Mama's Crispy Peanut Butter Balls
Munchkin Mama has a great recipe for no bake peanut butter balls that the whole family will want to make!

Witch Parking!!
Make a "Witch Parking" sign on the Mucky Finger's blog!

Vintage-Inspired Halloween Tree Topper
Shannon shows off her new Halloween tree topper, inspired by vintage crepe paper crafts!

The Impatient Crafter
Make a whimsical and elegant Halloween necklace with Madge!

Jack-O-Lantern Waterfalls
Studio Mama shows you how to make some fun and festive earrings for the Halloween season.

Glow in the Dark Jewelry
Use glow in the dark polymer clay and rubber stamps to produce eerie Halloween jewerly.

Crafty Chica's Paint Drip Pumpkin!
A loca idea on the fly turned out muy fantastico!

Free Printable Halloween Cup Sleeves
You’ll be a hit with these labels for hot beverages at your Halloween party.

Scarecow Sweatshirt
Sharron Westerfield shares a cute scarecrow sweatshirt she made from a fun downloadable pattern from Janome!

Halloween Ribbon Brooches and FascinatorsAlexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner whips some quick and cute Halloween accessories!

R.I.P. Skeleton in CoffinGuarantee a spooktacular Halloween Party with a skeleton in a coffin treat filled centerpiece!

Happy October KewpiesFind inspiration in this colorful and cute candy corn Kewpie photo from Boopsie Daisy!

If you would like to join in the fun next week, e-mail Alexa at swelldesigner@yahoo.com and put in your subject line "Terrorific Tuesday". She'll get you added to the group!

Free Halloween Craft Project for iLoveToCreate: Halloween Hootenanny Invitation

Free Halloween Craft Project
Halloween Hootenanny Party Invitation
Margot Potter for iLoveToCreate Teens

If your teen isn’t into the spookier side of Halloween, here’s a super cute retro party invitation they’ll love! Stack up layers of vintage and new paper and add a printed invitation and you’re good to go! These are and fun to throw together, so making a whole bunch won’t be a problem. If you’re into upcycling his is a great way to use up your scrap paper!

Materials
King & Queen Font 14pt. (daFont.com)
White computer paper
Old book pages
Bright orange cardstock
Acid green cardstock
Black and silver patterned scrapbook paper
Sizzix Hello Kitty Bigz Daisies die
Aleene’s Tacky Glue Stick
Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Tools
Word processing software
Bone folder
Scissors
Paper cutter
Sizzix Big Shot
Fiskars 1.5” circle squeeze punch
Fiskars 1.5" scalloped circle squeeze punch
Fiskars 1/4” diameter circle hand punch
Round standard size dinner plate

1. Type out the following in 14pt. into a Word document. Center the title and left margin the info: It’s a Halloween Hootenanny!
Time:
Date:
Location:
RSVP:

2. Print and allow ink to dry. Cut into 4”x4” square using a paper cutter.

3. Cut a 12”x6” sheet of acid green cardstock on your paper cutter.

4. Find and mark the center point of the width of the paper. Use a bone folder to fold and crease paper so the ends meet in the center.

5. Starting at the top corner of the folded paper, center and angle a ruler to mark the tufts. This angle should be 1.5” in length. Use a dinner plate to mark a rounded space between the tufts; this is the top of the owl’s head. Cut out tufts and top of owl head.

6. Mark the bottom of the folded paper edge to edge using the plate. Cut out bottom of owl head.

7. Use Sizzix Big Shot to cut large Hello Kitty flower with vintage book paper. Use same die to cut black patterned paper into a smaller flower.

8. Cut a small dot using a hole punch with a ¾” diameter.

9. Use Fiskars punch to cut out a 1/5” circle in the orange cardstock.

10. Use glue stick to stack and layer papers, starting with the old book flower, the orange circle, the black patterned flower and the green dot. Glue flowers to the cardstock base.

11. Hand cut a 7/8”x5/8” owl beak, this is shaped like a guitar pick!

12. Adhere half of the beak to one side of the slit in the paper using Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky glue.

13. Adhere your pre-cut invitation into the center of the inside of your card.

14. Cut a triangle shaped segment of patterned paper (this will fit between the eyes at the top of your card.)

15. Trace the back of the top of the triangle so it fits the rounded head of the owl. Cut out.


16. Make a cut the triangle in half starting at the center point so it fits on each side of the card split. Adhere to card with Tacky Glue so the points meet up.

(Blogger's Note: The Aleene's glues, Fiskars punches, Big Shot machine and Big Shot Bigz Dies were donated for use in my design work, all other materials were purchased.)

Free Halloween Craft Project Idea Goulie Girl Necklace

I've been waiting for some phone calls this morning and I remembered these great ceramic skulls I got from Jennifer Heynan of Jangles. (It looks like she's out of skulls, but if you scroll down she's got pumpkins, ghosts and cats that'd be great substitutions.) I've been meaning to make something with these skull beads for quite some time and with a few spare moments here, I whipped up this jaunty little Goulie Girl necklace. I used carnelian beads, three strands of fancy gun metal chain I bought from Rings and Things and some dark annealed iron wire I bought from Metalliferous. The wire is cut into short segments and used to create a rosary style chain to connect the beads. Basically I just added a loop on each side and connected them. You could also opt to add jump rings in between. If you use iron wire, cut it with Memory Wire shears and not regular cutters, it'll chew up a regular cutter blade in a flash. I have been mad for bows this season, so I couldn't resist adding one on here.

I love how this is part whimsy, part fashionista...for your inner Goulie Girl.

Until next time....craft on with your bad selves!

xoxo
Madge

For the edification of the FTC, the gun metal chain and skull beads were given to me for use in my design work and I purchased the rest of the materials in the above project.

Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away

Keeping with the Halloween theme...what is it that they say about the road to hell?

My intentions were good, but this week ran away from me like a freight train without brakes! I'm heading to Toronto on Friday for a whirlwind 24 hour day at The Shopping Channel. I'll be presenting a fabulous Today's Showstopper for the folks from OttLite on Saturday October 10th. If you're crafty and you don't own an OttLite yet, you really do need one. It's full spectrum high definition lighting, which means you see true colors and fine detail without straining your eyes and it means you can concentrate and focus with ease. It's great for reading, crafting, studying, putting on your make up...whenever you need to see fine details and true colors. Which seems to me is every moment of every day...except when you're sleeping! I love my OttLites, in fact I'm sitting under one of them as I type this!

I managed to get a fun paper crafting project together for iLovetoCreate I'll post this Friday, but that's all she wrote until Monday. I only have two hands and though I keep trying to sprout more it hasn't worked out for me. So...that's the story, mornin' glories! If you want to see me on air, I'll be appearing throughout the day and you can catch me online when I'm live. You can check their website for the schedule, I'll be in the Problem Solvers shows. Here's a link to the schedule.

Until next time...craft on with your bad selves!

xoxo,
Madge

Terrorific Tuesday Week #1!

We're back! This is the first Terrorific Tuesday link parade and we're just getting started! Tune in every Tuesday for more spooktacular ideas from crafty bloggers around the web! Big thanks to Swell Designer Alexa Westerfield for coordinating this epic effort again this year!

Be afraid...be very afraid! Oh and then...be crafty!

xoxo

Madge

Studio Mama Blog Creep out your friends with this Leatherface-esque collection of eyeballs strung on hardware!

The Impatient Crafter Halloween is right around the corner and Madge kicks off the season with a stunningly spooky mixed media necklace and a bonus short story sure to send shivers up your spine!

Living Locurto - Halloween Doggie Dress-Up Free Printable Kids will love dressing up this cute doggie in different costumes!

Sharron Westerfield Create an adorable jack-o-lantern baby bib for your favorite little one!

Mantipi Specimen with Tutorial Join Crafterella in making you own spooky specimen jar using polymer clay.

Spooky Spider Wreath Welcome your guests with this cute and creepy wreath!

My Big Mouth Craft a mini Halloween candy dish that looks like Frankenstein

Strands of Beads Melissa creates a simple skully necklace to celebrate the season.

Halloween Pyramid Box This is perfect for use as a Halloween favor box or as an unusual decoration.

Allee Marderosian for iLoveToCreate Take your look to the Darkside with these Twilight Romance tees, perfect for Halloween festivities or everyday adventures!

Candace Jedrowicz - Spirit Clay These sparkly Candy Corn Riot earrings are made using real candy corn! No kidding!

Bat necklace A batty necklace you'll want to take a bite out of!

The Impatient Crafter Madge shows you how to make a super cute Halloween tote in this week's I Love to Create post!

Crafty Chica Dia de los Muertos Shrine Contest! The Chica, ILoveToCreate & Craft Zine have teamed up for a skullerific contest!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Inspired by her love for True Blood, Swelldesigner takes a stab at bloody white pumpkins!

Lo Fat Whole Grain Classic Macaroni and Cheese

(Image Copyright Rick's Photostream on FlickR Creative Commons Attribution)

Big Crafty Congrats to NesieJean for winning the Friendly Plastic Prize Package! Email me your mailing address to margot@margotpotter.com and I'll have that shipped right out to you!

Here's a deliciously decadent recipe that's big on delicious and surprisingly low on decadent!

I have a confession to make...I'm not a fan of cold weather. However I do like wearing sweaters and fleece pjs...and I love comfort food. Unfortunately comfort food tends to be packed with carbs and fat and we're trying to be healthier around these parts. So what's a gal to do? I took my favorite recipe for "Zippy Cheese Sauce" from the classic Moosewood Cookbook and I tweaked it until I got a low-fat version that still tasted yummy. The first round wasn't so yummy...but I persevered!

A little dash of this and a sprinkling of that and some whole grain pasta...comfort food here we come

I had to keep the roux traditional, making it with butter substitutes and wheat flour proved disastrous, so there are two tablespoons of butter and two tablespoons of white flour, but spread that out over an entire pan of Mac and Cheese, and you're still doing might fine.

My family has already devoured the first batch since I served it last night for dinner. So that's a very good sign.

Here's my recipe:

Lo-Fat Whole Grain Classic Mac and Cheese
Copyright Margot Potter

Ingredients

Roux:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon dry mustard

Sauce:
1 cup fat free 1/2 and 1/2
1 cup fat free milk
16 oz. 50% reduced fat cheddar

1 lb. Whole Wheat Pasta (read the packages and be sure you get a 100% wheat and not a blend.)

1. Boil pasta until it is past the al dente stage.

2. Create a roux by whisking butter and slowly integrating flour and mustard.

3. Warm the milk and 1/2 & 1/2 and whisk into roux mixture. Allow to thicken for several minutes.

4. Grate cheese and slowly stir into liquid, allowing cheese to melt.

5. Pour noodles into a 9x13 pan.

6. Pour cheese over noodles, allowing it to settle a bit and adding more until you've filled the cheese up to the edge of the pan.

7. Pour breadcrumbs over top of mac and cheese.

8. Place on a tray and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until breadcrumbs and cheese begin to brown.

Variations: add lo fat goat cheese, feta or ricotta, chopped garlic, hot sauce, broccoli...

This sauce is delicious in omelettes or over steamed veggies!

TastyLinks Saturday!

It’s time once again for the Linky Love Showers to sprinkle crafty goodness across the blogiverse. Here’s what the fab folks from the Crafty Bloggers gang have for your entertainment, education and edification!

About Family Crafts Find a way to creatively celebrate everyday during the month of October by consulting this list of special days.

Aileen's Musings Need a little Halloween inspiration? Check out Aileen's past Halloween posts and get yourself revved up for Halloween!

Cathie Filian Cathie shows you how to alter kids’ clothing into fun Halloween costumes.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world At Craftside there are posts on how to have fun with word play and spice up your art, draw a pattern for a full size witch hat and make a tiny one, make a silverware spider and make a gather from a serged edge without a differential feed.

Crafty Princess Diaries No Brainer Crochet Squares - Tammy shows off some of the crochet squares she makes for comfort-ghans.

Cross Stitch at About.com Connie has a free quick-to-stitch pattern that reminds you to "Let Your Light Shine".

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style A back pack resurfaces and reminds Linda that she hasn't shared this project on her blog yet!

Mixed Media Artist Cyndi shares the profiles of some spectacular mixed media artists, including our own Aileen Roberts!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery A Buzzing Beaded Bead Bail using a wonderful tutorial from the book- Seed Bead Fusion by Rachel Nelson-Smith

The Artful Crafter CD Ghosts – what an economical and easy project for Halloween. Let the kids make several to hang from a porch or trees to delight of your Trick or Treaters.

The Crochet Dude Drew has designed a super cute crocheted pink purse for breast cancer awareness month. AND he's giving away some cool pink ribbon appliques too!

The Impatient Crafter Halloween is right around the corner and Madge kicks off the season with a stunningly spooky mixed media necklace and a bonus short story sure to send shivers up your spine!

Free Halloween Craft Project: I Love to Create Jackolantern Tote Bag

I Love to Create Teen Crafts
Jack-o-lantern Purse
Copyright Margot Potter

I know I’ve got a winner when my daughter begs me to let her wear the project to school. She didn’t even want to wait for the tote to dry! I made a series of sketches with half images of iconic Halloween items: a skull, a bat and a jack-o-lantern. I decided on the jack-o-lantern, but I may revisit the other images. These half images have been showing up all over the place lately, so I thought it might give a ‘cute’ project just a little edge.

My daughter is finished with trick-or-treating but she’s got a party to attend and she loves wearing Halloween themed t-shirts. I thought this would be a fun way to look stylish and seasonally apropos. I may sport this bag myself, you never know!

Materials
Black blank canvas purse
White marking pencil
Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Pack
Tulip Fashion Glitter Rock and Roll (clear crystal)
Tulip Glitter Dimensional Fabric Paint (crystal sparkles)

Tools
Fine tip paint brush
Square tip paint brush


1. Hand draw half of a jack-o-lantern on the right side of your purse using a white marking pencil or gel pen. You can opt to use a template if you prefer, you may need to size the image on your computer to fit the dimensions of your purse.
2. Mix equal parts red and yellow Crafty Chica paints to make a deep orange. Paint a layer of orange and allow to dry. Use a fine tip brush for details and the flat tip brush for larger areas.
3. Paint the stem green. Allow to dry.
4. Paint a second layer of orange. Allow to dry.
5. Use black paint to cover any white lines left from your pencil.
6. Paint a layer of dimensional glitter on purse and sprinkle clear crystal glitter on it.
7. Shake off excess glitter and allow to dry.